Newspaper headlines: Meghan’s family and ‘armed police plan’

Newspaper headlines: Meghan’s family and ‘armed police plan’

By BBC NewsStaff

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Meghan Markle’s family dominates many of the newspaper front pages for another day. The Sun reports that the bride’s father Thomas Markle is “alone and upset in hospital” following his heart surgery. The newspaper quotes Ms Markle’s half-sister Samantha who claimed Kensington Palace is not helping Mr Markle.

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The Mirror has its own royal wedding exclusive: an interview with Ms Markle’s half-brother Thomas Jr, who has travelled to Windsor. He is quoted by the paper as saying Ms Markle will be one of the best things to happen to the royals, adding: “She will be the perfect modern princess.”

Image copyrightDaily Star

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Thursday’s Daily Star splashes with a story on bride-to-be Ms Markle, who the paper says filmed a “saucy three-in-a-bed” scene. The two men in the scene – which the Express dubs “Suits show hunks” – could be at the wedding, the newspaper adds.

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Ms Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, is on the front page of the Metro, after reportedly arriving in the UK. Meanwhile, the Metro leads with reaction to the news that Deliveroo has given £10m in shares to its permanent employees – but drivers will receive nothing. Deliveroo boss Will Shu said it was the firm’s way of thanking staff by giving them a “real stake in the company’s future”. But the Metro quotes riders as saying it is a “slap in the face”.

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Thursday’s Times leads with a report that chief constables are considering arming police officers with handguns in a bid to tackle “the terrorist threat in rural areas”. According to the lead expert in armed policing at the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the plan is being considered in areas where it is expensive to have specialist units on standby. But the Times says Britain has a history of unarmed policing and the proposal will be seen as controversial.

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Meanwhile, the front page of the Guardian leads with a look ahead to a government report, to be published on Thursday, following a review of building regulations in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire. According to the newspaper, sources have said that Dame Judith Hackitt’s review is not expected to recommend an outright ban on combustible cladding. This is despite calls from Grenfell survivors, the Guardian adds.

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The Financial Times leads with the fallout from Wednesday’s Carillion report for a second day in a row. It reports that the Big Four accountancy firms – which MPs had said should be referred to the Competition and Markets Authority for a potential break-up – have drawn up contingency plans in the event that it happens.

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The Express leads with the murder probe into the death of 85-year-old widow Rosina Coleman, who was found dead in her home in Romford on Tuesday. The Express reports that grieving relatives have “begged for help” with the police appeal to find those responsible.

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The Daily Mail splashes with some reaction to Labour’s pledge to close the UK’s two main immigration centres in the wake of the Windrush scandal. Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott announced the move on Wednesday as part of a package of measures to reverse the government’s so-called hostile environment policy. But the Mail cites several Conservative politicians – including Home Secretary Sajid Javid – criticising the policy.

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Thursday’s Telegraph leads with a report on the latest in the UK and EU’s Brexit negotiations. The paper says it has learnt the government is prepared to stay tied to the customs union beyond 2021. According to the Telegraph, the decision was agreed by ministers on Tuesday “as a last resort to avoid a hard Irish border” – despite objections by Brexiteers. But government sources said staying aligned to the customs union would be “time limited”, the paper reports.

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The i leads with the news that rail services on the East Coast Man Line are being brought under government control after the current franchise failed. The paper reports that services will now be called the “London North Eastern Railway”.